Focuses on 26 pressing issues of the early republic. Each issue is presented with an introductory essay and multiple primary documents from the newspapers of the day, illustrating both sides of the debate.

Introduction: Newspapers in America's early national period -- Chronology of events -- The aftermath of George Washington's death, 1799- 1801 -- The United States capital moves to the Potomac, 1800 -- Thomas Jefferson's election to the presidency, 1800-1801 -- Medical treatment and the rush-light, 1800 -- Gabriel's slave rebellion, 1800 -- Jefferson's patronage and the new haven remonstrance, 1801 -- Thomas Jefferson's mammoth cheese and "wall of separation," 1802 -- Nativism in the age of Jefferson -- The Tripolitan war, 1801-1805 -- The Louisiana purchase, 1803 -- Marbury v. Madison, 1801-1803 -- Aaron Burr's conspiracy and arrest for treason, 1805-1807. The chesapeake-leopard affair, 1807 -- New jersey's repeal of women's suffrage, 1807 -- The embargo act, 1807-1809 -- The launching of the steamboat clermont, 1807 -- The battle of tippecanoe, november 7-8, 1811 -- The declaration of the war of 1812 -- The burning of washington, d.c., august 24, 1814 -- "marats, dantons, and robespierres": the hartford convention, 1814-1815 -- The era of good feelings, 1817 -- New york city's wild dogs, mad hogs, and petty criminals, 1816-1818 -- The establishment of the second bank of the united states, 1816 -- The financial panic and depression of 1819 -- Poverty and pauperism in the early national period, 1805-1819 -- The missouri compromise, 1819-1820 -- Selected bibliography -- Index.